A look back at 2103

Thursday

Jan 2, 2014 at 12:01 AMJan 2, 2014 at 2:01 AM

Reflecting on the year that was, the special coverage of the aftermath of the bombings GateHouse Media Massachusetts provided in July 2013 will most certainly be a highlight. Our 100 Days/100 Lives project focused on local people from all the communities we cover who were impacted by the bombings. Stories of kindness, bravery, perseverance and a greater sense of community came out of our reporting.

We probably say this every year, but 2013 was quite a year on many fronts.

Internationally, the world was focused on Syria and its leaders’ use of chemical weapons on its own people in at least one confirmed attack near Damascus in August. A recently released report by United Nations inspectors indicates chemical weapons were likely used in four other Syrian locations. Strife remains in Syria today.

The world’s attention turned to the Philippines in November as Typhoon Haiyan ravaged the area, killing more than 6,000 in the strongest storm ever recorded at landfall.

Nationally, the U.S. government shutdown from Oct. 1-16 caught everyone’s attention, bringing "Obamacare" into the spotlight once again as a political football. Deadly shootings at Los Angeles International Airport on Nov. 1 and at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., Sept. 16 reminded us of our vulnerability, as did the shootings at various schools throughout the country.

While all these stories were memorable to some degree, no story was bigger in this area than the Boston Marathon bombings in April. It may turn out to be the biggest story of the decade and maybe one of the biggest, most memorable, ever.

Reflecting on the year that was, the special coverage of the aftermath of the bombings GateHouse Media Massachusetts provided in July 2013 will most certainly be a highlight. Our 100 Days/100 Lives project focused on local people from all the communities we cover who were impacted by the bombings. Stories of kindness, bravery, perseverance and a greater sense of community came out of our reporting.

Our Right of Way special report back in May was another highlight, as we took a group approach examining the changing landscape between cars, bicycles and pedestrians. We thank the many readers who weighed in with their experiences to round out the local coverage.

And we thank readers for once again playing an important role in our annual Paint it All Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Month coverage in October. We’re always amazed by the inspiring personal stories you are willing to share with our audience and us.

Now that 2013 is behind us, what will you remember most about the year?